Letters to the Editor Wednesday

Tuesday

Sep 17, 2013 at 10:46 PM

I lived in Richmond, Va., for 36 years before moving here. For the longest time, Delta gouged travelers in that area on air fares. Folks had to drive to Dulles airport (for international flights), to Baltimore-Washington or Raleigh for Southwest, or down to Newport News/Williamsburg (ValuJet, Air Tran) to find a decent price.

Just like Savannah, the airport commission fought for years to lure a low-cost carrier.

About a decade ago, they finally brought in Air Tran which immediately cut fares to Atlanta by half. Of course, Delta cut their fares to match, so the silly people kept flying on Delta at the great rate and to protect their Sky Miles. It wasn't long before Air Tran cut out those empty flights to and from Richmond.

Word to the wise Savannah; when JetBlue gets here, use it or lose it.

FRANK BAYLOR

Savannah

We hate to admit it when politicians are wrong

Most everyone needs to be recognized for something. If we don't have the "looks," we might be proud of our intelligence, our children, our status or our material assets.

We may be fans of a team or pledge our allegiance to something that gives us pleasure, even if it is only a one-way love affair. Whatever fulfills our desire to belong, we seldom switch to the "other" side.

To do so shows unfaithfulness or worse, being wrong. It's not viewed as strength or intelligence, when you're fickle.

All leaders know when to divert attention to something that you support completely. They might say, "Hey, don't answer that," or, "Remember when they did this and that?" or, "Ignore their cries, because you belong on our side." Then they add, "We don't want to look like we're wrong. Do we?"

Ironically, our devotion to "Our Group" is vital to its leaders, whose actions often show they don't even know we exist.

Yet their lives would be negatively affected if they lost our combined support. Politicians would lose a lifestyle most would agree is above average. "Hey folks," they shout, "I'm doing this for you."

One example of this sacrifice will come soon. These people in Washington, D.C., are willing to keep their health care. It's something they could sacrifice and share in the "good fortune" they created, for us, named The Affordable Care Act.

However, they will keep what they have, as will several organizations that opted out that provide them plenty of votes.

Why, I wonder? Could it be less fabulous than their proclamations claim? Never mind. Remember how hard they work for all of the U.S.

CHARLIE OLENICK

Savannah

Approve Keystone pipeline, boost economy

The controversy over the Keystone XL Pipeline project shows no signs of slowing down.

And for those who are not yet aware about the Keystone XL, it is time they got involved. This is the project about the economic future of the United States, especially the energy independence of North America from the unstable regions of the world.

The 1,179-mile Keystone XL Pipeline, once completed, will pump tons of crude oil from Canada to the U.S. refineries in Texas very safely. Canada is the safest source of energy for this country, which should be the most important consideration, instead of the unproven environmental concerns.

In addition, the long-term economic benefits of the Keystone XL will be tremendous.

The U.S. State Department, the federal agency handling the pipeline project, should quickly finish its study of the project and hopefully recommend its implementation to the president.

The Keystone XL is in America's national security interest. President Obama should approve the construction of Keystone XL. It will be one of the best decisions of his presidency.

LAZARUS JAWIYAMBE

Savannah

It looks like Israel is now on its own

Considering the number of people killed every day in just the Middle East, most casual observers could conclude that these are "dark and fearful times."

Even the simplest among observers can see that President Obama's handling of the mix of Syria's weapons of mass destruction, his "red line" and Syria's patron Russia is a likely predictor of how he will handle the mix of Iran's WMD (nukes), his "red line" and Iran's patron Russia.

Among the most perceptive observers, Israel, given the observed US-Syria-Russia triangle, could reasonably conclude that in the confrontation with Iran over WMDs, President Obama will be as confused, feckless and stumbling then as he is now with Syria.

Consequently, expecting Obama to act effectively with Iran is to deny the reality of his history.

Of course Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would likely and gleefully find opportunity and advantage in being the intercessor in the WMD conflict between Iran and Israel, if for no other reason than embarrassing and displacing Obama again.

Expecting Putin to act in Israel's best interest over his client, Iran, is to deny the realities of his history. It is irrational to expect Israel to discount either Putin's or Obama's realities of history.

Subsequently, it is rational to conclude that Israel cannot trust Obama and will act decisively. Alone. Soon. It's prudent to pray that the Peace of Jerusalem rest upon the Middle East - now.